Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of humans through various comparative and holistic approaches that include past and present populations. The four fields of anthropology include biological, cultural, linguistics and archaeology. Each of these fields studies different and overlapping aspects of what it means to be human.

Biological anthropology explores this question focusing mainly on biological traits such as physical features, genes, and DNA and how these interact with our environment. This includes the study of evolution and fossils along with contemporary human traits.

Archaeological anthropology studies cultural change over time through the examination of material culture including architecture, human remains and other artifacts.

Linguistic anthropology investigates verbal and non-verbal communication in humans and non-human primates in order to understand how language has developed in human groups both historically and physically, along with how it continues to change in modern populations. The connection between language and culture is also explored to understand how various variables such as gender, class and race/ethnicity affect language.

Cultural anthropology analyzes contemporary people’s behaviors and beliefs/ideas to understand human diversity and the similarities that we all share. Using a cross-cultural approach, this subfield compares and contrasts various cultural components such as economics, politics, religion, gender and race/ethnicity to better understand what people do and why they do what they do in a variety of cultural settings. The goal is to increase our understanding of the human experience.

Anthropology courses satisfy general education requirements for an associate degree in social sciences, and lower division transfer. Courses in anthropology include introductory courses in cultural anthropology, linguistics, archaeology and biological anthropology. Additionally, there are courses on the Anthropology of Religion, Magic and Witchcraft, and Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspectives. The Honors Program includes three anthropology courses: ANTH 210H Introduction to Cultural Anthropology - Honors, ANTH 216H Sex and Gender in a Cross Cultural Perspective - Honors and ANTH 218H Honors Presentation Seminar.

Demonstrate recognition and analyze examples of ethnocentrism, xenocentrism, and cultural relativity for the purpose of understanding the dangers of prejudice and to develop appreciation of diversity of cultures around the world.

Demonstrate use of technology as a source of information for purposes of academic research and to facilitate synchronous and asynchronous communication found in a variety of program courses, labs, and online databases in order to improve digital skills necessary in a global environment.

Explore anthropological concepts such as language, culture, human use of material items, and humans from a biological construct to benefit from seeing the world through an anthropological culturally relative viewpoint.

Students will critically examine various societies around the world using basic cultural concepts such as language, food production, economics, kinship, art, religion, and magic. The class is designed to foster a pluralistic view of the world, teach introductory anthropological concepts, and strengthen critical thinking skills. College level reading is strongly advised for success in the course.

Students will critically examine various societies around the world using basic cultural concepts such as marriage, family, art, food production, political organization, and religion. The class is designed to foster a pluralistic view of the world, teach introductory anthropological concepts, and strengthen critical thinking. College level reading is strongly advised for success in the course. Students are expected to work and participate at an honors level which includes strong critical thinking skills, thorough analysis of anthropological readings, presentation and leadership skills demonstrated through class participation/presentation, and service learning in the community.

An introductory study of the biological origin of humans. The course will emphasize the biology of humans, human evolution, taxonomy, pre human fossil identification, and adaption to the environment. CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT WITH ANTH 212L IS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE LAB SCIENCE CREDIT. College level reading is highly recommended for success in the course.

This course is the lab component for Introduction to Physical Anthropology 212. In the lab, students will have an expanded opportunity to work with anatomy, skeletal identification, taxonomy, and evolutionary trends. Concurrent enrollment with ANTH 212 is required. College level reading is highly recommended for success in the course.

A cross-cultural look at different groups' ideas of sex and gender. The course will focus on attitudes, beliefs, and socialization techniques. Theories behind the formation of gender will be explored. Both anthropological and sociological terms and concepts will be utilized for a cross disciplinary approach. This is primarily a seminar style course; college level reading and participation is necessary for successful completion.

A cross-cultural look at different groups' ideas of sex and gender. The course will focus on attitudes, beliefs, and socialization techniques. Theories behind the formation of gender will be explored. Both anthropological and sociological terms and concepts will be utilized for a cross disciplinary approach. College level reading is strongly advised for success in the course. Students are expected to work and participate at an honors level which includes strong critical thinking skills, thorough analysis of readings, presentations, and leadership skills demonstrated through class participation/presentation.

Prerequisite(s): Student must be eligible for the Citrus College Honors Program or obtain a recommendation from an Honors instructor.

A course designed to help honors students further their research skills, professional presentation skills, and to promote transfer. Research topics from previous honors classes will be enhanced with further research and presented in a professional manner in class. Materials will also be submitted to local honors conferences for presentation to peers. Honors students should be in good standing and must be recommended by an honors professor.

An introductory study of the science of archaeology. The course will emphasize the evolution of human material culture, the laws and theories governing the science of archaeology, archaeological processes, and the realities of archaeology versus popular culture definitions. College level reading is strongly recommended for success in the course.

This introductory course serves as a foundation for understanding language from an anthropological perspective, addressing such core questions as how, what, when, where, why and with whom we communicate. This course surveys three core areas in linguistic anthropology--structural linguistics: phonetics, phonology, morphology and syntax, as well as the biocultural basis of language; historical linguistics: origins and evolution/change, dialects, and language families; and sociocultural linguistics: language acquisition in cultural context, emphasizing the relationship between language and culture, and issues of language conservation and loss.

This introductory course examines the forms and functions of religion cross-culturally and the manners in which anthropology investigates religious beliefs and practices. This course emphasizes applying cultural relativism to the study of topics such as mythology, magic, witchcraft, altered states of consciousness, supernatural beings, souls and ghosts, and the question of cults. Connections between religious life and general patterns of human behavior are explored, including the role of ritual in social life, the use of specialists, and processes of cultural change.